Search form

You are here

Five Reasons Why Old Dogs Rock

You know it’s true: Senior dogs are the best. As much as we can’t resist puppies, there is something about an old pooch that really makes our hearts sing. In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we’re counting down the top five reasons why old dogs rock.

1. What you see is what you get. Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements.2. Seniors are super-loving. Adopted dogs already in their golden years are devoted and grateful. They create an instant bond that cannot be topped!3. They settle in quickly. Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!4. Seniors enjoy easy livin’. Couch potato, know thyself. Consider adopting a laid-back canine retiree rather than a high-energy young dog who needs constant monitoring.5. They’re CUTE! Need we say more?

Did you adopt a senior dog? Tell us about your elder states-pooch in the comments below.

I have tried everything I can to adopt a rescue Doberman. I know this breed best and have had two from babies until one passed on at age 18 from old age. My next one lived until age 7 passed on from spinal tumor

I adopted a 9 year old German Shepherd female who was the best dog ever. It took a few days for her to realize this was her new home but when we bonded, it was a great partnership. Bailey was a great watchdog and my constant protector. She had a stroke when she was 10 but did live 4 more years. She was a loyal pal to the end.

I adopted a 11 year old poodle two years ago, it's been one of the best experiences I've ever had... seeing Peke enjoying her bed every single night like it's something new, jumping as a puppy when I arrive home even thought she mas more than one health issue... you get to learn a lot from an adopted old dog, it helps you to become grateful and to see the life in a different way.

Gypsy Rose face caught my eye on Petfinder. She was surrendered by her family after being with them her whole life because she had a few accidents in the house. I picked her up last night and what a beautiful lovable girl she is! Her families loss is my gain as I could ask for a sweeter girl!

My friend runs a non-kill shelter and so she receives many requests to take in dogs. When she got a call from the volunteers at the NJ SPCA about Rigatoni, who had been dumped because he "didn't have enough spunk" at 13 years old, she gave him his last home. He's not the prettiest dog, but man does he have personality. He lumbers along at a snails pace, but if you leave food out, watch him climb a picnic table to steal what he can with the grace of a cat. His face is grizzled, his legs are bowed but his heart is mighty. We are lucky to him in our lives for these last few years

I adopted Max three years ago when he was 9. His family had given him up to a kill shelter because they said "he was too lazy"! He's a wonderful companion. I'm perfectly happy that he sleeps late in the morning rather than getting up at the crack of dawn; that he's content to play with his toys for a few minutes rather than nudging me constantly; and that he only needs to walk around the block once rather than insisting on a mile-long hike. I'm old too so we're perfectly suited!

My Australian Cattle dog is 12. She was a shelter dog on death row when a local rescue took her into their program when she was 2 years old. I love her with all my heart and can't imagine life without her over the past 10 years. I look forward to life with her through her golden years.